WINNIPEG, Manitoba — In a thrilling opening match of the Stanley Cup playoffs, Kyle Connor’s decisive one-timer with just 1:36 left on the clock lifted the Winnipeg Jets to a 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues. This pivotal goal came after a 3-3 deadlock and set the stage for a series advantage in front of a packed arena of 15,225 enthusiastic fans. Connor wasn’t done there, as he lent a hand with two assists and, with only 53 seconds remaining, captain Adam Lowry sealed the win with an empty-net goal.
The best-of-seven series will continue with Game 2 on Monday at the Canada Life Centre. Mark Scheifele emerged as a standout with one goal and two assists, marking him as the franchise leader in playoff points with 41, eclipsing the previous record set by former captain Blake Wheeler. His performance was impactful for the team and well-received by fans. “Playing in front of our home fans tonight was something special,” Scheifele reflected. “It was just a fun game overall.”
Lowry complimented Scheifele’s continuous improvement despite his years in the sport. “It’s amazing how Mark keeps getting better every year, even in his 30s. He’s always honing new skills and it shows on the ice,” said Lowry.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 14 saves, fortifying a team that ended the regular season with the NHL’s top record at 56-22-4. Despite the Blues taking an early second-period lead through Jordan Kyrou’s power-play goal, Alex Iafallo equalized for the Jets midway through the third.
“That’s playoff hockey,” Hellebuyck said, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. “You need to play right up to the last whistle. The energy was undeniable.”
The Blues had their moments, with Robert Thomas and Oskar Sundqvist both finding the back of the net, Thomas doing so on a power play, and Justin Faulk contributing two assists. Yet in the third period, the Jets outplayed them, outshooting the Blues 9-2.
Blues captain Brayden Schenn advised his team to keep their cool and focus on the crucial role of special teams in the games to come. “Keeping a level head is key. The playoffs bring a lot of emotion, but we’ll be ready for Game 2,” he assured.
St. Louis goaltender Jordan Binnington managed 21 saves during the game, despite his team just scraping into the playoffs with a final-game win.
The first period saw both teams locked at 2-2 after four goals but ended with the Blues narrowly outshooting the Jets 9-7 and delivering 32 hits to Winnipeg’s 14. Within just over a minute into the second period, Kyrou’s power-play goal extended his streak to four goals and two assists across four games.
Winnipeg, unable to capitalize on a man advantage early in the third, saw Binnington brilliantly block Connor’s one-timer, maintaining the suspense until Lowry’s definitive empty-netter. In a final burst of on-ice tension, players engaged in skirmishes in the last 19 seconds, a testament to the intensity of the playoffs.